British pony club instructor visits

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 43, 14 April 1987, Page 11

British pony club instructor visits

New Zealand has a very strong future in international horse competitions according to a leading International Instructor here to conduct the 1987 "Eqvalan" Clinics. Mrs Sue Anderson, who is one of Britain's foremost Pony Club Instructors says New Zealand riderscompeting in international events are accorded tremendous respect from other competitors because of their ability and successes. Mrs Andersen toured New Zealand last year as Sue MacAllan, prior to her recent marriage. She holds the distinction of being the youngest person ever to attain a full British Horse Society Instructors' qualification, which she achieved at the age of 21. She is in New Zealand to conduct the 1987 "Eqvalan" Instructors' Clinics at the irtvitation of the New Zealand Pony Clubs Association. The Clinics were established three years ago through the financial assistance of MSD AGVERT, who produce Eqvalan horse wormer, to assist with training and competition for the 15,000 young New Zealanders who are members of^

pony clubs throughout New Zealand. She has been a freelance instructor for 18 years, and until her marriage and move to Australia in December, was based in southern England where she specialised in training riders on their own mounts, particularly for eventing and dressage. This included horses which reached Badminton and Burghley. Mrs Andersen says the recent successes of international competitors such as Mark Todd, Trudi Boyce and Tinks Pottinger have given the Pony Club movement in New Zealand a terrific boost. As well she says New Zealand produces fantastic horses, which have proven themselves on the Australian race tracks, which she believes is evidence of the excellent root stock and breeding of New Zealand horses. International performances have generated a terrific amount of pride and Mrs Andersen says that pride is working its way right back to the children at Pony Club level. "It's giving the children something to aim for," she says. "Riding is really going to

start snowballing and I think it has a very bright future — an extremely bright future here." "Pony Club is a very strong movement in New Zealand and it has a terrific atmosphere." "I have never encountered a scruffy child or a scruffy horse at any of the Clinic's I ran here last year, and that's good because it means they have been brought up to do it properly and to do it themselves." "That's important because it reflects pride — if they're proud enough to go out and put in a bit of elbow grease and hard work, it means they'll give their best."

Mrs Andersen will be travelling throughout New Zealand for the next month and will conduct Clinics for Pony Club Instructors and members, including a one day seminar for National Instructors in Palmerston North. She will conduct four 'Eqvalan' Clinics in the central North Island between Tuesday April 14th and Friday April 17th. Two of these will be held on the property of Mr and Mrs I. Roke at Ohakune, one will take place on the property of M rs Weirs at Kaitieke Road in Taumarunui and the fourth will be at the Owhango Domain.